Mount Fuji Japan in Off-season

Mount Fuji Japan in Off-season

Where photo taken: In front of the Fujiyoshida Sengen Shrine at the Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station, the most popular place from which to start an ascent of Mount Fuji (or Fuji-san as it is known in Japan).

Best meal: Gluten-free soba and ramen from Glutenfree Cafe Littlebird, in Shibuya. (While much of Japan's wonderful foods are naturally gluten free, soy sauce pervades many and the noodles are typically wheat based. There are more and more gluten free restaurants opening all of then time.)

Best deal: Capsule hotels, which are sleeping pods. Cramped on space, they make up for it in price. Beware though: many do not have actual physical doors, so you might be sleeping with 200 or so of your closest friends.

Best time to go: Mount Fuji is officially open to climb in mid-July through August, though it can be attempted at any time. We reached 3/4 of the way to the summit (in early June) before an avalanche blocked the remainder of the path. We turned back at that point, knowing that climbers are lost each year by taking too many risks. (For instance, see http://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2017/06/09/travel/pleasures-perils-summiting-mount-fuji-off-season/.)

Best travel tip: Japan is incredibly easy to visit, even if you do not speak any Japanese. Most Japanese people know some English, are very friendly, and more than happy to help. One businessman walked us several blocks to a bus stop when we stopped to ask which way we should go.